Self-adjusting portable modular 360-degree projection and recording computer system

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to an innovative projection system that comprises a camera that records images and videos, and sends the recorded images and videos to a computing device, a projector that projects output images or videos received from the computing device, a rechargeable battery that provides power to the camera and the projector and a communication unit that establishes connections between the camera, the projector and the computing device. The projection system has at least one motor that rotates the camera and the projector in at least one axial direction, where the camera rotates and searches for images and videos projected by another projector, and the projector then projects images and videos adjacent to or on top of the images and videos projected by another projector, or projects images and videos that merge with the images and videos projected by another projector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

Embodiments of the present invention relate to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/373,980, filed Aug. 11, 2016, entitled “SELFADJUSTING PORTABLE MODULAR PROJECTION AND RECORDING COMPUTER SYSTEM”,the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety and which are basis for the claim of priority.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of projection systems. Morespecifically, the present disclosure provides a self-adjusting portableprojection and recording computer system that can perform up to360-degree projection, and can rotate and search for images and videosprojected by another projector and then projects images and videos thatconnect or merge with images and videos projected by another projector.

BACKGROUND

A projector is an optical device that projects an image or a video(i.e., moving images) onto a surface such as a projector screen or awall. Most projectors create an image by shining a light through a smalltransparent lens, but some newer types of projectors can project theimage directly, by using lasers.

Advantages of using a projector over a TV or monitor include, but arenot limited to, customized picture size, lower cost and space saving. Aprojector allows a user to create the very large screen experience of acommercial movie theater in his or her own home. A projector can also bethe least expensive alternative for big screen video. While the size ofan image projected by a conventional projector, in theory, can go up tohundreds of inches' diagonal, the actual size of any given projector'simage is limited by its light output.

Another hurdle faced by the conventional projectors is that a dark roomis often required. Projectors look their best in a darkened room becausethe user can get maximum contrast and sparkle in the picture. Whether auser needs a dark room or not depends in part on how bright the user'sprojector is, and in part on the user's desire to maintain maximum imagequality. In addition, conventional projectors are mostly stationary andprojects images only at directions designated/adjusted by a user,thereby their applications are being limited.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved projection system thatcan projects images that connect with images projected by otherprojectors to increase a projector's applications. There also exists aneed for an improved projection system that is self-adjustable to createbrighter, larger and customized images.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The embodiments of the present invention generally relate to aprojection system and more specifically a self-adjusting portableprojection and recording computer system that can rotate and search forimages and videos projected by another projector and then projectsimages and videos that connect or merge with images and videos projectedby another projector.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, aprojection system is disclosed comprising: 1) a camera that recordsimages and videos, and sends the recorded images and videos to acomputing device, 2) a projector that projects output images or videosreceived from the computing device, 3) a rechargeable battery thatprovides power to the camera and the projector and 4) a communicationunit that establishes connections between the camera, the projector andthe computing device. The projection system has at least one motor thatrotates the camera and the projector in at least one axial direction,where the camera rotates and searches for images and videos projected byanother projector, and the projector then projects images and videosadjacent to or on top of the images and videos projected by anotherprojector, or projects images and videos that merge with the images andvideos projected by another projector.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention are more readily apparent from the detailed description of thepreferred embodiments set forth below, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles ofthe invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by thefollowing claims. Various inventive features are described below thatcan each be used independently of one another or in combination withother features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide aself-adjusting portable projection and recording computer system thatcan rotate and search for images and videos projected by anotherprojector and then projects images and videos that connect or merge withimages and videos projected by another projector.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown byFIG. 1, a projection system is disclosed comprising: a computing device2 that has at least a communication unit, a storage unit, a power supplyand a processor; a camera 4 that is capable of recording images andvideos for the computing device 2, and searching for images and videosprojected by another projector; and a projector 6 that projects imagesor videos output by the computer device 2. The projector 6 and thecamera 4 can physically attach to and communicate with the computingdevice 2 through a socket (e.g., USB) or detached from the computingdevice and communicate with the computing device 2 wirelessly (e.g.,LTE, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth etc.). The disclosed projection system furtherincludes at least one motor 8 that rotates the camera 4 and theprojector 6 in at least one axial direction. Preferably, two motorsshould be used where one rotates horizontally and one rotatesvertically, thereby enabling the camera 4 and the projector 6 to rotatein all directions. The motor(s) 8 can be placed or attached directly tothe camera 4 and the projector 6, or it can be placed anywhere withinthe projection system (e.g., bottom of the computing device 2). Thecomputing device 2 may receive inputs and commands from a user via wiredor wireless keyboard, mouse, joystick or a combination thereof. Thecomputing device 2 may also include a speaker. The user may also adjustthe angles and rotations of the camera 4 and the projector 6 manually ifrequired. The motor 8 allows the camera to take 360-degree images.

Alternatively, as shown by FIG. 2, the disclosed projection system canbe designed in a way without requiring an internal computing device 2.For instance, the disclosed projection system can simply comprise acamera 4 that records images and videos, and sends the recorded imagesand videos to an external computing device (e.g., a desktop or laptopetc.), a projector 6 that projects output images or videos received fromthe external computing device. Similarly, the projection system underthis configuration will utilize at least one motor 8 that rotates thecamera 4 and the projector 6 in at least one axial direction.Preferably, at least two motors should be used so the camera 4 and theprojector 6 can rotate in all directions. The motor 8 allows the camerato take 360-degree images as well.

In both settings (with and without internal computing device 2), thecamera 4 and the projector 6 are designed and configured in a way thatthey can physically attach to and detach from the computing device 2(internal or external) through a socket (e.g., USB). In addition, thecamera 4 and the projector 6 further comprises a rechargeable batterythat provides power to the camera 4 and the projector 6, and acommunication unit that establishes connections between the camera 4,the projector 6 and the computing device 2. The camera 4 and theprojector 6 can receive power from the computer device 2 when the camera4 and projector 6 are attached to the computing device 2, and the camera4 and the projector 6 can utilize their own power source (i.e., therechargeable battery) when they are detached from the computing device2. The rechargeable battery that provides power to the camera 4 and/orthe projector 6 can be recharged through the power provided by thecomputing device 2 while the camera 4 and the projector 6 is physicallyattached to the computing device 2.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown by FIG. 2 and FIG.3, the camera 4 can be attached to the projector 6 and forms acustomized shape such as spherical shape, and is detachable from theprojector 6 so that the user can simply remove the camera 4 and use itindependently for photographing and recording. The camera 4 will haveits own power source (e.g., rechargeable battery) and communicationunits (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi etc.) that communicates with the projector6 and/or the computing device 2. Preferably, a physical connection(e.g., a socket) exists between the camera 4 and the projector 6 as wellso that when the camera 4 is attached to the projector 6, the batterywithin the camera 4 can be recharged through the physical connection(the power source may come from the computing device 2). Alternatively,battery within camera 4 can also be charged directly, such as through apower adapter connecting to the camera 4. Optionally, the camera 4 mayfurther comprise a storage unit that stores images or videos taken bythe camera 4 and the images or videos taken will automatically uploadedto the computing device 2 once a connection is established between thecamera 4 and the computing device 2, either through wire or wirelessly.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown by FIG. 4and FIG. 5, the disclosed projection system further comprises a casing10 the encloses the computing device 2 and/or holds the camera 4 and theprojector 6.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown by FIG. 6,the disclosed projection system is configured or programmed in a waythat the camera 4, upon receiving commands from a user or automatically,rotates and searches for images and videos projected by anotherprojector (e.g., likely an identical projection system), and theprojector 6 then projects images and videos adjacent to or on top of theimages and videos projected by another projector, or projects images andvideos that merge with the images and videos projected by anotherprojector. To achieve this, the computing device 2 of the disclosedprojection system will be configured or programmed to have access to theimage and video database of another projector, and may also have controlover another projector. If another projector also has its own computingdevice, the computing device 2 will be in communication with anotherprojector's computing device. Thus, if a user uses multiple projectionsystems of the present disclosure and configures each projection systemto communicate with each other (through cable or wirelessly), a user canhave a variety of ways to creatively display images and videos. A usermay display a 360-degree photo or video in his or her room, or projectslive images or videos captured from a camera of another projectionsystem in a space to recreate the scenery captured by the camera ofanother projection system in same orientation. For example, as shown byFIG. 10, a user is taking a 360-degree photo or video of a scenery andthe photo and video is then transmitted to the disclosed projectionsystem in another location, allowing the projector of the projectionsystem to project the same scenery in another space (the transmissioncan be live or stored). The scenery can be displayed by one projector ormultiple projectors as shown by FIG. 11. Multiple projectors allow auser to re-create up to 360-degree scenery in the space such as his orher room.

While the schematic drawings in FIG. 6 to FIG. 11 use the image ofprojector without showing the computing device 2 and/or the casing 10,it should be noted that the computing device 2 and the casing 10 can beincluded as well depending on how the user wants to setup his or herprojection system. For example, the user can simply use the projector(s)wirelessly such that the projector(s) does not need to be in physicalcontact with the computing device 2 and/or the casing 10. In anotherembodiment, the user use the whole system as shown by FIG. 4 and FIG. 5(with computing device 2 and the casing 10 attached). As such, theprojector image in FIG. 6 to FIG. 11 can refer to the whole projectionsystem or just the projector from the projection system. Both designsand their variations are covered by the present disclosure.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown by FIG. 7,the camera 4 can be configured or programmed to track images or videosprojected by another projector, and then projects identical images orvideos on top of the images or videos projected by another projector toenhance brightness or contrast of the images or videos projected byanother projector, thereby increasing the brightness and contrast of animage or video without increasing the light output of the projector.Similarly, to achieve this, the computing device 2 of the disclosedprojection system will have access to the image and video database ofanother projector, and may also have control over another projector.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a computing devicemay connect to a plurality of the cameras and projectors, eitherdirectly as shown by FIG. 8, or indirectly through other computingdevices as shown by FIG. 9. Instead of merging or connecting images orvideos projected by other projector, projectors can be configured orprogrammed in a way that they project images and videos that areindependent of each other, but from the same computing device ordifferent computing devices but controlled by one computing device. Forinstance, projector A will display a word document, while projector Bdisplays a web browser and projector C displays a movie. Thus, a userwill be able to perform multi-tasks with multi-projectors or projectionsystems in a space (e.g., separate pictures on separate walls).

Preferably, the camera 4 is a 360-degree camera, allowing the user tocapture 360-degree photo and video. In one embodiment, the user recordshis or her day with the 360-degree camera. When the user goes home or isin a room, the user can replay his or her day in 360-degree view usingthe disclosed projection system. Multiple projection systems will berequired if the user wants to view the whole 360-degree image or videoat the same time. This creates unique experience for the user as itallows the user to rewind his or her day, and the user can see if he orshe is missing anything interesting. Note this concept can be applied onother area or field as well and is not limited to the embodiment above.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the disclosedprojection system can be used to assist user with interior design of aroom or office. For instance, a user may select an interior design he orshe likes, or a furniture he or she wants to buy, and projects it on awall of the room or office (or the whole room or office if multipleprojection systems are used). This allows the user to preview differentinterior designs before making decision of which to use. The user canalso see whether a particular furniture matches a particular design(e.g., wallpaper).

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera 4 willscan the color of the wall or place where the projector 6 will projectthe images or videos on, then invert the color of the projection, suchas a color that is opposite of the wall to maximize the display qualityof the projection. For example, if the camera 4 scans and detects thatthe wall the projector 6 is projecting on is white, the projector 6,through the computer device 2 or an internal program, will invert thewhite color of the projected images or videos to black.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the disclosedsystem is capable of performing video chat that shows only the user butnot the background to provide maximum privacy to the user participatingin a video chat. To achieve this, the camera 4 will first rotate andperform a scan of a room where the user is going to participate thevideo chat, and then when the user begins the video chat, the computingdevice 2 will remove or cancel the scanned background in the video chat,showing only the user (the background can be a single-color backgroundor a photo or image designated by the user).

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the camera 4 of thedisclosed system can perform a 360-degree scan of a user and turn theuser into a 3D avatar in the computing device 2. The computing device 2then accesses a clothing database that has 360-degree (or 3D) image ofclothing, and allows the virtual avatar to try out for clothing selectedby the user. The camera 4 can also create the virtual clothing byperforming a 360-degree scan on the clothing. Alternatively, withmultiple projectors, the user may also project the image of the clothingdirectly on the user instead.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the computingdevice of the disclosed projection system allows wireless streamingbetween devices of audio, video, device screens, and photos, togetherwith related metadata. A user will be able to display image or videofrom the projector using his or her mobile device.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, which can beillustrated by FIG. 9, a projection system is disclosed comprising: aplurality of computing devices, where each computing device has acommunication unit, a storage unit, a power supply and a processor, andeach computing device is also connected to a corresponding camera andprojector. The camera is capable of recording images and videos for thecorresponding computing device and the projector projects images orvideos output by the corresponding computing device. The camera and theprojector are being controlled by at least one motor, allowing them torotate in at least one axial direction. The plurality of computingdevices is connected to each other, through wire or wirelessly, and isconfigured in a way that one computing device receives inputs from auser and controls other computing devices. When the projector of a firstcomputing device projects an image or video on a wall of a room, thecamera of a second computing device will rotate and scan the room forthe image or the video projected by the first computing device, andthen, depending on the user's requirement or input, the second computingdevice can project images and videos adjacent to or on top of the imagesand videos projected by the first computing device, or projects imagesand videos that merge with the images and videos projected by the firstcomputing device. The plurality of computing devices will need to haveaccess to a same file database for that to occur. Like above, theprojector and the camera can physically attach to and communicate witheach computing device through a socket or detached from each computingdevice and communicate with each computing device wirelessly. The maincomputing device may receive inputs and commands from a user via wiredor wireless keyboard, mouse, joystick or a combination thereof.Alternatively, instead of having a plurality of computing devices, therecan simply be one computing device that connects to plurality of camerasand projectors, and performs the same functions mentioned above as shownby FIG. 8.

Similarly, the camera from each computing device (or without computingdevice) can track images or videos projected by another computing deviceor projector (i.e., without computing device), and then projectsidentical images or videos on top of the images or videos projected byanother computing device or projector to enhance brightness or contrastof the images or videos projected by another computing device orprojector, thereby increasing the brightness and contrast of an image orvideo without increasing the light output of the projector. Similarly,to achieve this, the plurality of computing devices will need to haveaccess to the same file, image or video database.

Instead of merging or connecting images or videos projected by differentcomputing device or projectors, projectors from different computingdevices or from same computing device (if there is only one computingdevice) can be configured in a way that they project images and videosthat are independent of each other, but from same computing device ordifferent computing devices but controlled by one computing device. Forinstance, projector A will display a word document, while projector Bdisplays a web browser and projector C displays a movie. Thus, a userwith multiple projection systems of the present disclosure will be ableto perform multi-tasks with multi-projections in a space (e.g., separatepictures on separate walls).

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A projection system comprising: a camera thatrecords images and videos, and sends the recorded images and videos to acomputing device; a projector that projects output images or videosreceived from the computing device; a rechargeable battery that providespower to the camera and the projector; a communication unit thatestablishes connections between the camera, the projector and thecomputing device; at least one motor that rotates the camera and theprojector in at least one axial direction; and wherein the camerarotates and searches for images and videos projected by anotherprojector, and the projector then projects images and videos adjacent toor on top of the images and videos projected by another projector, orprojects images and videos that merge with the images and videosprojected by another projector.
 2. The projection system of claim 1further comprises a storage unit that stores images or videos taken bythe camera.
 3. The projection system of claim 1, wherein the camera andthe projector are detachable to the computing device, and the computingdevice provides power to the camera, the projector and the battery whenthe camera and the projector are attached to the computing device. 4.The projection system of claim 1, wherein the at least one motorcomprises two servo motors, one rotates horizontally and one rotatesvertically relative to each other, enabling the camera to rotate in alldirections.
 5. The projection system of claim 1, wherein the computingdevice comprises a power supply, a processor, a communication unit and astorage unit, and receives inputs from a user.
 6. A projection systemcomprising: a computing device comprising a communication unit, astorage unit, a power supply and a processor; a camera that is capableof recording images and videos for the computing device, and searchingfor images and videos projected by another projector; a projector thatprojects images or videos output by the computer device; wherein theprojector and the camera can attach to and communicate with thecomputing device through a socket, or detached from the computing deviceand communicate with the computing device wirelessly; wherein the cameraand the projector are located on two servo motors, one rotateshorizontally and one rotates vertically, enabling the camera and theprojector to rotate in all directions; and wherein the camera rotatesand searches for images and videos projected by another projector, andthe projector then projects images and videos adjacent to or on top ofthe images and videos projected by another projector, or projects imagesand videos that merge with the images and videos projected by anotherprojector.
 7. The projection system of claim 6, wherein the camera isattached to the projector and forms a spherical shape, and is detachablefrom the projector.
 8. The projection system of claim 6 furthercomprises a casing the encloses the computing device and holds thecamera and the projector.
 9. The projection system of claim 6, whereinthe camera and the projector receive power from the computer device whenthe camera and projector are attached to the computing device, and thecamera and the projector utilize their own power source when they aredetached from the computing device.
 10. The projection system of claim6, wherein the camera tracks images or videos projected by anotherprojector, and the projector projects identical images or videos on topof the images or videos projected by another projector to enhancebrightness or contrast of the images or videos projected by anotherprojector.
 11. The projection system of claim 6, wherein the camerafurther comprises a battery that supplies power to the camera when thecamera is detached from the computing device and the battery is beingcharged when the camera is attached to the computing device.
 12. Theprojection system of claim 6, wherein the projector projects live imagesor videos captured from a camera of another projection system in a spaceto recreate the scenery captured by the camera of another projectionsystem in same orientation.
 13. The projection system of claim 6,wherein the camera takes 360 degree images.
 14. The projection system ofclaim 6, wherein the computing device further comprises a speaker. 15.The projection system of claim 6, wherein the computing device receivesinputs from a user via wireless keyboard, a wireless mouse, a wirelessjoystick or a combination thereof.
 16. A projection system comprising: acomputing device comprising a communication unit, a storage unit, apower supply and a processor; a camera that is capable of recordingimages and videos for the computing device, and searching for images andvideos projected by another projector; a projector that projects imagesor videos output by the computer device; wherein the projector and thecamera can attach to and communicate with the computing device through asocket, or detached from the computing device and communicate with thecomputing device wirelessly; a casing the encloses the computing deviceand holds the camera and the projector; wherein the camera and theprojector are located on two servo motors, one rotates horizontally andone rotates vertically, enabling the camera and the projector to rotatein all directions; wherein the camera rotates and searches for imagesand videos projected by another projector, and the projector thenprojects images and videos adjacent to or on top of the images andvideos projected by another projector, or projects images and videosthat merge with the images and videos projected by another projector;and wherein the camera and the projector receive power from the computerdevice when the camera and projector are attached to the computingdevice, and the camera and the projector utilize their own power sourcewhen they are detached from the computing device.
 17. The projectionsystem of claim 16, wherein the camera is attached to the projector andforms a spherical shape, and is detachable from the projector.
 18. Theprojection system of claim 16, wherein the camera tracks images orvideos projected by another projector, and the projector projectsidentical images or videos on top of the images or videos projected byanother projector to enhance brightness or contrast of the images orvideos projected by another projector.
 19. The projection system ofclaim 16, wherein the projector projects live images or videos capturedfrom a camera of another projection system in a space to recreate thescenery captured by the camera of another projection system in sameorientation.
 20. The projection system of claim 16, wherein thecomputing device receives inputs from a user via wireless keyboard, awireless mouse, a wireless joystick or a combination thereof.